I have a baby bird.
Aug. 20th, 2004 08:10 pm![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
spatchI have a baby bird.
He does not need a name -- I'm not even sure if "he" is the appropriate pronoun -- but he needs help. We had a wicked thunderstorm go by earlier this evening and lots of trees lost limbs and branches and stuff. As I was walking up the hill to get home, I saw him lying on his back in a big crack in the sidewalk. Water was running through the crack and he was kicking madly.
Kick, kick, kick. He's got fight in him. He didn't want to drown in no stinkin sidewalk crack. I was not sure if he was kicking to right himself or if it's instinct or if he bonked his head in the fall or what. I couldn't see the nest anywhere in any of the nearby trees so I don't know where the heck he came from unless the nest was lost too. I knew I had to at least move him out of the sidewalk crack, though, before he became completely waterlogged and lost his will to kick. Two ants ran off him while I moved him. Ants are scavenging bastards. I have no qualms burning them up with a magnifying glass the next time I see them.
The little bird is a fledgling but not all grown up yet. He's got his feathers, though his head is pretty bald, and some parts look as if they weren't fully grown yet. He's got this weird spike of feathers on his back behind his head that don't seem to belong anywhere but sticking up.
Strange little fellow. I like his attitude.
I rummaged through my backpack and got out the box my headset is supposed to live in (not anymore) and gently picked him up. Nothing looked broken; his wings looked like they're where they need to be, and both legs are definitely not broken cause he likes to kick.
I took him home and padded the box down with bits of crumpled up toilet paper and tissue. I figured he might be kicking cause he wasn't in a nest-like environment, so I was gonna give him one. So far the cats have not figured out I have a Snack on premises and with any luck and determination they're not going to notice. I still haven't figured out which species, feline or avian, will be put behind the single bedroom door tonight. I guess I could also keep the bird in the nightstand drawer; the box is closed a tidge with enough room for air to circulate, and I could keep the drawer open a tad.
Tomorrow I'm going to call Animal Control or a local shelter and figure out what I can do with him. Any suggestions would be most appreciated.
Tonight he is staying here and drying out. I can already hear him rustling about in the box; he's getting his strength back. Good baby bird.
He does not need a name -- I'm not even sure if "he" is the appropriate pronoun -- but he needs help. We had a wicked thunderstorm go by earlier this evening and lots of trees lost limbs and branches and stuff. As I was walking up the hill to get home, I saw him lying on his back in a big crack in the sidewalk. Water was running through the crack and he was kicking madly.
Kick, kick, kick. He's got fight in him. He didn't want to drown in no stinkin sidewalk crack. I was not sure if he was kicking to right himself or if it's instinct or if he bonked his head in the fall or what. I couldn't see the nest anywhere in any of the nearby trees so I don't know where the heck he came from unless the nest was lost too. I knew I had to at least move him out of the sidewalk crack, though, before he became completely waterlogged and lost his will to kick. Two ants ran off him while I moved him. Ants are scavenging bastards. I have no qualms burning them up with a magnifying glass the next time I see them.
The little bird is a fledgling but not all grown up yet. He's got his feathers, though his head is pretty bald, and some parts look as if they weren't fully grown yet. He's got this weird spike of feathers on his back behind his head that don't seem to belong anywhere but sticking up.
Strange little fellow. I like his attitude.
I rummaged through my backpack and got out the box my headset is supposed to live in (not anymore) and gently picked him up. Nothing looked broken; his wings looked like they're where they need to be, and both legs are definitely not broken cause he likes to kick.
I took him home and padded the box down with bits of crumpled up toilet paper and tissue. I figured he might be kicking cause he wasn't in a nest-like environment, so I was gonna give him one. So far the cats have not figured out I have a Snack on premises and with any luck and determination they're not going to notice. I still haven't figured out which species, feline or avian, will be put behind the single bedroom door tonight. I guess I could also keep the bird in the nightstand drawer; the box is closed a tidge with enough room for air to circulate, and I could keep the drawer open a tad.
Tomorrow I'm going to call Animal Control or a local shelter and figure out what I can do with him. Any suggestions would be most appreciated.
Tonight he is staying here and drying out. I can already hear him rustling about in the box; he's getting his strength back. Good baby bird.
![[identity profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/openid.png){kind=small}
(no subject)
Date: 2004-08-20 06:56 pm (UTC)The vet at the bird rehab facility that I dealt with suggested making the same noise every time you fed him so that he'd imprint on me so that I could call him back after release to feed him a few more times before he was fully self-sufficient, but that part of the plan never worked out. Still, it's worth a try. I made little kissing noises when I fed him. Sounds silly, I know.
Anyway, that's the best advice I can offer. Perhaps a local zoo or vet might be able to give you some free over the phone guidance as well.
(no subject)
Date: 2004-08-20 06:57 pm (UTC)Oh, and keep his box clean.
(no subject)
Date: 2004-08-20 07:20 pm (UTC)Thank you so much for the tips! Jo found me a number of a rehabilitation specialist in Boston (at the Science Museum, interestingly enough) and I'll be calling him tomorrow too. I don't like the idea of leaving birdo alone during work (tho wouldn't it be cool if I took him to work with me, feeding him as I took calls -- though I do not think the commute would be good for him, much less the florescent lights, loud environment and the fact that I don't think he has anything Work Casual to wear.) I'd have to keep him in the closed-off bedroom so the cats can't get to him, too. Hopefully the rehab specialist will be able to take him in so he'll fare better.
(no subject)
Date: 2004-08-20 07:59 pm (UTC)